First Time Hunting Deer in Southern California (D16)

[mr_breakfast_]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this forum. I've read some posts and picked up some pretty good knowledge, but I'm hoping someone can offer some guidance.

First of all, let me introduce myself. I'm originally from Montana--I grew up hunting whitetail, mule deer, and elk all around the state. I've been living in North County San Diego since ~2006 and I've just recently decided that I want to try my hand at hunting locally.

I'm primarily interested in rifle hunting since I've never hunted with a bow before (and I don't own one (maybe that's something for next year)). I've got a couple of rifles: A Remington Model 700 in .243, a Remington Model 721 in 30-06, and a Ruger M77 MKII in 7mm Remington Magnum. I'm leaning towards taking the 7mm Mag. on this first hunt since I'm most comfortable with it. It was primarily my elk rifle when I was younger, but I think it should do nicely for mule deer with some lower-grain bullets.

Honestly, I think that the 30-06 might be a better fit, but I only recently got that as a gift from my father-in-law and I haven't had a whole lot of time with it yet. I at least know that I can kill something with either of the other two rifles.

So, here are my questions:

1. Where can I go to sight in my rifle(s) before season opens? Can I just go find an area in BLM-managed land and set up targets? If not, are there any good 200 yd ranges around that don't require membership and aren't super-expensive?
2. What is the best way to find access to public land (trailheads, etc.)? I've done some scouting with OnX and Google Maps/Earth and identified some potential trailheads that look like they have parking available. I'm just concerned that the majority of trailhead parking is going to be full for opening weekend. My plan is to drive out the day before the opener and hike in to a camping spot. Is it possible/acceptable to park alongside vehicle trails?

I'm aware that I do need to get out and scout, but I honestly don't know if I'll have much time for it, unfortunately. I'm just hoping to get as prepared as I can before the season opens up.

I'd ask for advice on which areas to hunt, but I don't want anyone to give up their secrets.

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

For long distance range check out Pala shooting range. Beings I don't hunt in Comifornia any more I can't help on other issues.

 

[TRICER]

1) Depends where you live but for shooting P2k in Dehesa and Poway Weopons and Gear in poway are your best bet for an indoor range. For a outdoor shooting there is Southbay Rod and Gun and Lemon Grove Gun Club. As for shooting on BLM that will be closed until likely the spring for fire reasons. You can shoot long range on any of the BLMin imperial county but you better get there early because it is toasty down there.

2) ONX is best. There is an adventure pass for parking that I never buy anymore. Not sure if they even enforce that anymore someone can chime in. But I hunt in the same manner park the truck leave a note that I am hunting please don't tow and then I hike in.

 

[Wildgame]

I will say, be prepared for the harsh realization that southern California zones are a zoo. They are busy. It is very difficult to get away from other hunters generally speaking, but if you live within a reasonable distance is hard to beat the convenience.
I said to myself 2 yrs ago, I would no longer get a D16 tag because of how busy it is, yet I got it again just because I can hunt it for an afternoon and be home at a reasonable hour.

You probably know the national forests in CA are available for hunting and so is BLM. The rest is up to you. Just drive thru the Forrest some time as the season approaches...you will see the guys whose trucks give it all away because of their stickers...lol...NRA, Hoyt, Leupold, Vortex and such..it is pretty obvious they are not just going for a walk.

Good luck.

 

[JakeSCH]

2) ONX is best. There is an adventure pass for parking that I never buy anymore. Not sure if they even enforce that anymore someone can chime in. But I hunt in the same manner park the truck leave a note that I am hunting please don't tow and then I hike in.

You only need it for parking lots with bathrooms I believe. Something along those lines.

 

[Capt.bones]

South bay gun club has an outdoor range thats reaches out to 300 yrds. They are located off of the old 94 in delzura. Just went there myself to feel out my new .270

 

[Creeping Death]

First of all, welcome.

I for the life of me can't figure on why someone would leave Mt for Ca. Haha

Pala is your best bet for shooting IMO unless you know someone with enough land.

Just shoot the 7mm if that's what you're used to.

What part of Mt you from?

 

[mr_breakfast_]

I will say, be prepared for the harsh realization that southern California zones are a zoo. They are busy. It is very difficult to get away from other hunters generally speaking, but if you live within a reasonable distance is hard to beat the convenience.
I said to myself 2 yrs ago, I would no longer get a D16 tag because of how busy it is, yet I got it again just because I can hunt it for an afternoon and be home at a reasonable hour.

You probably know the national forests in CA are available for hunting and so is BLM. The rest is up to you. Just drive thru the Forrest some time as the season approaches...you will see the guys whose trucks give it all away because of their stickers...lol...NRA, Hoyt, Leupold, Vortex and such..it is pretty obvious they are not just going for a walk.

Good luck.

I'm mostly concerned about the convenience factor--at least for this year. I've read a lot about how crowded D16 is and I'm not getting my hopes up about actually taking an animal this year.

Is it at all possible to get away from the majority of the crowd if I'm able to put in a lot of legwork?

Thank you for the advice!

 

[TrapLine]

My BLM parking jobs look like a DUI scene left from the night before.

 

[mr_breakfast_]

First of all, welcome.

I for the life of me can't figure on why someone would leave Mt for Ca. Haha

Pala is your best bet for shooting IMO unless you know someone with enough land.

Just shoot the 7mm if that's what you're used to.

What part of Mt you from?

lol

Yeah...I moved here when I was in the Marine Corps and just ended up staying. Now I've got a wife and kids--it's been a pretty hard sell trying to convince my wife that Montana is better (she's a SoCal native and not terribly fond of the idea of having to deal with inclement weather).

I'm from a small town in northwestern Montana, about midway between Missoula and Whitefish.

 

[Creeping Death]

There's hope yet for you to convince the wife. Do what I did and keep bringing up the political crap in Ca. Lol. Got mine so fired up she had the house listed asap.

 

[Wildgame]

Is it at all possible to get away from the majority of the crowd if I'm able to put in a lot of legwork?

Thank you for the advice!

Yes you can get away from the crowds in some areas but it gets harder to find a deer. Lots of people don't even bother with BLM because the land is barren and lacks feed but some do attract some game.
Do what I did the first time. Go where everyone goes...lol...someone could just push a deer your way and at least you learn about popular spots that you could hunt on a weekday.

 

[MAG 1]

you don't always have to walk miles to find deer.

 

[ilovesprig]

Mr B,

Welcome to SCH and thank you for your service...There are miles of BLM and NF to hunt...And it's very possible to get into areas with very few to zero hunters.

With that said, there are a couple of questions...Do you currently have a D-16 tag, can you hunt Monday-Friday, do you have copper, and do you currently have OnX?

Couple more things, don't worry about hunting opening week-end (our rut is normally in FULL swing in November), you do not have to walk miles to find deer, and in this country, you're normally better off hunting them like white-tail (find a good spot and let the deer do the moving)...We also have many kinds of habitat here...Pines, sage, rocks, and lots of chaparral...Water sources are far and few between on public...Find water on private and focus on routes to it...Lastly, just because someplace doesn't look very "deerie", doesn't mean it doesn't hold bucks.

This buck was taken on a very public spot and barren as hell (SIL and Cody)...Well within a mile of a very popular road...PM me, if you'd like more info...Good luck, Steve

.

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

Mr B,

Welcome to SCH and thank you for your service...There are miles of BLM and NF to hunt...And it's very possible to get into areas with very few to zero hunters.

With that said, there are a couple of questions...Do you currently have a D-16 tag, can you hunt Monday-Friday, do you have copper, and do you currently have OnX?

Couple more things, don't worry about hunting opening week-end (our rut is normally in FULL swing in November), you do not have to walk miles to find deer, and in this country, you're normally better off hunting them like white-tail (find a good spot and let the deer do the moving)...We also have many kinds of habitat here...Pines, sage, rocks, and lots of chaparral...Water sources are far and few between on public...Find water on private and focus on routes to it...Lastly, just because someplace doesn't look very "deerie", doesn't mean it doesn't hold bucks.

This buck was taken on a very public spot and barren as hell (SIL and Cody)...Well within a mile of a very popular road...PM me, if you'd like more info...Good luck, Steve

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You are a good man Sprig.

 

[HATCHET1]

you don't always have to walk miles to find deer.

Never a truer statement....

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

Never a truer statement....

Not when you have a truck.

 

[HATCHET1]

Exactly....

 

[HortoTheSlayer]

There are no deer in D16..trust me...I've looked! Took me 4 years to see a deer and it was a spike! Went on many a hike with gun and bow.. Sprig and his SIL killed them all! Just remind your wife she's damn lucky to have you and hightail it back to Montana! They will thank you later.

 

[180ls1]

To touch on something else, you sounded a little unsure of rifle choices. The buck you shoot probably wont crack 120lbs, choose what you shoot best. 7mm mag is by no means too much.

As for spots. Choose whats closest to home or the type of country you like hunting. @ilovesprig is 100% correct that they are everywhere (as long as water is near) so pick a spot you'll put the most work in on and can really develop/learn.